In News:

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India achieved a 100-Day Target of 100 Nagar Vans under Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) with the objective to Enhance Urban Greenery.

Key Details:

• Launch: Initiated in 2020 to enhance urban greenery, improve quality of life, and foster social cohesion.
• Financial Support: Offers ?4 lakh per hectare for creation and maintenance of urban forests.
• Area Specification: Nagar Van areas range from 10 to 50 hectares.
• Coverage: Applicable to all cities with Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Achievements

• 100-Day Target: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change achieved a target of 100 Nagar Vans, surpassing it with the approval of 111 Nagar Vans in just 100 days.
• Geographic Spread: These 111 Nagar Vans are distributed across six states and one Union Territory.

Features of Nagar Vans

• Biodiversity Focus: Emphasis on planting fruit-bearing, medicinal, and native species to attract wildlife and maintain ecological balance.
• Community Involvement: Engages citizens, students, and stakeholders through tree planting, educational programs, and sustainable management.
• Design Elements: Each Nagar Van includes two-thirds tree cover and features components like Biodiversity Parks, Smriti Vans, Butterfly Conservatories, Herbal Gardens, and Matri Vans.

Future Goals

• Expansion Plans: Target to develop 1,000 Nagar Vans by 2027, supported by the National Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA).
• Environmental Impact: Aims to protect forest land from degradation and address urban environmental issues such as air pollution and habitat loss.

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign

• Launch Date: Introduced on June 5, 2024, during World Environment Day.
• Purpose: Encourages tree planting as a tribute to mothers, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
• Tree Planting Goals: Aims to plant 80 crore trees by September 2024 and 140 crore by March 2025.
• Tracking Efforts: Participants can document their planting through the MeriLiFE portal, where over 75 crore saplings have been recorded.

Recent Initiatives

• Tree Plantation Drive: A recent drive on September 17, 2024, aimed at creating Matri Vans in newly approved Nagar Vans, highlighting community and governmental collaboration for sustainable urban development.